@CISSACE

RECENT POSTS | Postagens recentes

DISCLAIMER | Aviso

First and foremost, don't take me seriously. Second, alpinism, mountaineering, and climbing in any level are inherently dangerous activities. Information in this site is purely nonsense and personal opinions based on drunken ascents, and should not ever be used as primary source of information for when you go climb whatever it is that you go climb. But seriously, don't follow rule number one and read this carefully: be aware that danger is always bigger for the uninformed. So, take a course, learn from the experts, please don't rely solely on knowledge you acquired from books, take immense doses of modesty and always utilize good judgement. Finally, the decisions you make and risks you take are your responsibility and no one else's. Take care of your own safety.

#brazilontherocks: SERRA DO CIPÓ

Serra do Cipó is probably the most well known and mythical sport climbing area of Brazil, and considered by some the best sport climbing area in South America.

Also around the city of Belo Horizonte, Serra do Cipó is one of many limestone sport climbing areas of great quality and easy access, however, it has its special appeal due to the great quality and challenge of its routes. I am not a die hard sport climber, on the contrary, but having climbed all disciplines all over the planet, I know a world class area when I see one, and Cipó is one of those places.

The pictures are all mine and don´t do justice tot he beauty of the place and the routes, so click here for a quick look at what´s around the web and start drooling.

The grades are presented in YDS/French format (i.e. 0.00x/0x).

If you have any questions, don´t hesitate to send a message on the About Me section. Enjoy!

Arriving at the main sectors of G3.

#brazilontherocks

OVERVIEW

Serra do Cipó is actually a larger area that comprises a national park full of waterfalls, hiking, trekking and mountain biking trails, as well as several rock climbing areas. The area used to be underwater and therefore the crags are shaped as canyons with several marine deposits, which make for amazing scenery as well as routes.

Climber finishes a route on “Esqueceram de Mim” sector right before susnet.

Climbing in the area began around the mid 90s, and as time went by, many sport climbing fanatics moved to the region which helped with the development of even more high quality routes. Nowadays the area has over 350 routes from (a few) 5.6/5a to 5.14c/8c. However, you will enjoy it more if you are climbing solidly above 5.11/6c, as the bulk of the routes here is above (and way above) that. In other words, it is not the ideal place for beginners. Routes are distributed in over 20 sectors, divided in three major groups (G1, G2 and G3). G3 is probably the most well known with sectors nearby each other, but some of the hardest routes in Brazil are in sector G2. A better area to climb if you´re not at those grades yet is Lapa do Seu Antão.

This area is inside both private land and a national park, and therefore there´s rules to follow. There´s no fee to enter the climbing area but to access some of the groups you need to go through private land, so be respectful and quiet when doing so.

Climber on “Nobres Vagabundos” on sector Ninhos.

Bring a 60 m rope (70 m even better for there are quite a few long/2 pitch routes) and 15-20 quick draws, lots of water, food for the day, garbage bag and strong insect repellent. DO NOT leave any trash in the crag!

THE CLIMBING

STYLE

This is an intermediate/advance area for world class bolted sport routes, mostly with big jugs and demanding good endurance. It has some sport trad routes (G2) but the classics are by far the Catalunyan-style hard routes of G3 and some on G2. Routes tend to be 20 m+ and some can be as long as 60 m, having more than a pitch. Rock is mostly limestone but there is marble at G1, which used to be a rock quarry.

The author herself on “Ninhos” route, a few year ago.

Climber on “Escamoso” (5.12c/7b+) on sector Thundercats.

GRADE RANGE AND CLASSICS
As said above, there´s probably less than a dozen routes bellow 6b+. The bulk is of 5.11+/7s to 5.12s/8s. Here´s some classics:

As in most climbing areas in Brazil, winter, that is, June through September, when temperatures are lower and there´s not much rain. Especially during the summer months (December through February) it rains a lot. However, if the forecast is good and you´re willing to endure the heat, it is worth a visit, as during the high season, especially weekends, the most popular routes can have quite a bit of lines.

WARNINGS

Another is notorious for sightings of rattlesnakes so keep your eyes open and try to walk in between sectors in closed shoes. Bring a strong mosquito repellent as well, in any season, and try to walk in the trails because the area is infested with ticks.

Climber higher up on the longer routes of Sala da Justiça.

Climber on Esqueceram de Mim sector.

Climber on Papagaio sector.

BETAS

GETTING THERE

The climbing area is actually in the town of Santana do Riacho, about 100 km from Belo Horizonte. You can easily reach it by car from any airport, or by bus (Saritur and Serro cover the route) from the bus terminal, but then it can take up to 3 hours because the bus makes several stops along the way.

I highly recommend renting a car as things in town are a bit far apart, and that includes shopping and lodging.

WHERE TO STAY

I´ve stayed in quite a few places but my favorite by far is Marcelo Braga´s house, which works as a hostel with several options of rooms, swimming pool, climbing wall, BBQ grill, massage chair, tons of rock climbing movies, communal kitchens and a great place to meet other climbers. Marcelo is one of the pioneers of sport climbing in Rio de Janeiro (and therefore Brazil), and moved to the area quite some time ago, and can help with betas and even go climbing with you – he´s got a great vibe and makes you feel at home at all times. You can write him via Facebook for bookings. It is a short driving distance from the crag and shopping, and 20 min walking from the supermarkets or about 40 min from the crag.

A smalll climbing wall right next to the swimming pool for warm ups or rainy days at Marcelo Braga´s climber´s refuge.

There´s other options for climber´s refuges (Abrigo G3, Abrigo Cipó and Espaço Mandalla) and campings, but at the place above you get all for the same price plus the 5-star amenities. I highly recommend it.

IN THE TOWN

There´s quite a few well equipped supermarkets, drugstores and commercial centers, as well as local restaurants and bakeries, and they have decent opening hours. It´s a very touristy town on weekends, so there should be no fuss about shopping and eating out. No equipment stores though! Bring all your gear.

GUIDE BOOK

An excellent guidebook was published recently, with over 200 pages, color photos, and bilingual (portuguese/english). It is definitely worth the investment. It can be bought at some of the climber refuges or by online here or here.

Sneak peek into one of the best climbing guidebooks ever produced in Brazil.

MORE RESOURCES

Here´s some cool links with extra info and pictures a lot better than mine:

Fanatic alpinist, rock climber, and wannabe surfer. Sports and travel content writer and graphic designer in the meantime. Self sponsored, based out of a haul bag.

Related Posts

967 DAYS

I could count countries, continents, crags, mountains, cities, routes, people. I won´t. The start of this trip seems like such a long time ago, that when I got to Brazil and people asked me about Nepal, it felt like it was 10 years ago. I can just count that 967 days is almost 3 years…. Read more »

#brazilontherocks: SÃO BENTO DO SAPUCAÍ

Save the best for last. One of the classic areas for long routes in Brazil, and probably the area that is fastest pioneering clean climbing, “São Bento” offers tough granite trad, multi pitch, sport and boulder areas at huge amounts, for all styles, halfway between the two largest cities in the country. But because of… Read more »

#brazilontherocks: FALÉSIA PARAÍSO

A project that began small and turned into a national reference for easy to intermediate sport climbing routes, “Paradise Cliffs” offers accessible granite climbing of many different styles in a secluded area with unbeatable good vibes in the state of São Paulo. Located in a hidden valley in the outskirts of the town of Pindamonhangaba,… Read more »

#brazilontherocks: CASA DE PEDRA, BAGÉ

A hidden gem in the middle of nowhere, closer to Uruguay than to any capital of Brazil, for those who love isolation, completely wild camping, in conglomerate rock, surrounded by magical looking woods. And best of all: absolutely NO CROWDS. Casa de Pedra (House of Stone), also referred to as Bagé – the county in… Read more »